It’s almost as though it’s a surreal trip, and a really good one at that. Taking a few of the most influential music ingredients today, a layer of Brett Dennen’s words and vocals, the backing of Forro In The Dark and a pinch of Jason Mraz and mixing them for a simple taste, not a whole meal, but it certainly is not one you would turn away for any reason. For the majority of this seven song EP, Brett displays to us a fun and poignant versatility. 
Countless hours have been spent by hundreds of bands on song placement in any given LP. But when you have multiple works to pull from and also adding new material, it’s “enough to make you go crazy.” But with “Blessed” as his title track, Brett and company say simply, “I’m gonna celebrate being alive.” It’s like an old friend who has invited you to his fire side get together. And as Forro In The Dark skillfully adds the subtleties and impacting Brazilian swagger, Brett flies through and says this is where I’ve been. A massive introduction to this compilation EP.
With each song, Brett’s vocals and Forro’s beats literally refuse you to simply sit, it’s a work of dance and poetry. Even in writing this, I felt the strong need to book a flight to “San Francisco” and get an old accordion and play for the tourists on the Golden Gate. Making us believe that circumstances are not permanent, we simply dance into what we want to be and to damn the fires we walk on.
Dennen’s writing has always been prolific and prophetic, and hearing it in a different light, only reassures the listener that they can dig into songs like “Closer To You” with multiple points of view.
Adding Jason Mraz to this EP was like adding that secret spice to a sauce that was already amazing. It also reminds that as songwriters, Dennen and Mraz are powerhouses. “Long Road To Forgiveness” is smoky and flowing, as though you’re at a crossroads of some great journey and we got “nothing but time.”
And of course “Make You Crazy” is just fun, plain and simple fun. Yes, it’s embedded with very serious issues, it’s important to remember that, but man if you don’t wanna just get up and grab your most loved dance partner and move to the beats of Forro as they make this track a true force of nature. It also introduces those who have had no idea what true Brazilian “Forro” is. And “Forro” in Brazilian literally translates to the word “party,” and this track is guaranteed to excite the senses into a groove potentially foreign to Brett Dennen fans. But that’s exactly what this work is designed for, to broaden us all.
Power in words and song are truly relative to the reception, but it does happen universally at times and “Aint Gonna Lose You” is truly universal. We have all made those declarations of love and commitment, and here’s the anthem to prove it. With lyrics like “You could put a stick in my spokes, I can be the butt of your jokes….but I ain’t gonna lose you,” are just confirmations that as fun as this EP is, it’s also memorable and destined for immediate adoration on all sides. With so much out there that can decimate the belief that we can hold on to that in which we truly love, Brett says with determination and confidence, “They can tear my house down…but I ain’t gonna lose you.” And with this work, Brett Dennen and company hold on to us and make us dance!
Track Listing:
01. Blessed
02. San Francisco
03. Joan of Arc
04. Closer to You
05. Long Road to Forgiveness
06. Make You Crazy
07. Ain’t Gonna Lose You
Brett Dennen: website | myspace | @ bonnaroo
